Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-02

the Mincio, and Immediately sought out his
lieutenant, who had been picked up, with a
broken arm, by our ambulance, and who had
arrived there first. He was directed to
church, where a field hospital had hastily
been installed. He went there The church
was full of wounded, reclining on two rows
of beds and mattresses stretched on the floor:
two doctors and various assistants were
anxiously going and coming, and stified
cries and groans were heard.
On entering the captain stopped and looked
about him, in search of his officer Just then
he heard faint voice close by, calling to
him:
"Captainlu
He turned around; it was the drummer
boy; he was stretched on a trestle bed, COW
cred up to the chest by a coarse window cur
tain with little red and white squares, with
his arms out; he was pale and thin, but with
his eyes still sparkling, like two black gems.
"Are you here" the captain asked him, in
an astonished, but stern manner. "Bravoi
You did your duty"
Al did what | could, answered the drum
mer boy
"Have you been wodnded!7 said the cap
tain, looking around for his officer in the leds
near by.
"What would You have27 said the boy, who
took courage to speak from the proud pleas
ure of being wounded for the first time, and
without which he would not have dared to
open his mouth IN the preSencf-of his captain.
Il had to run like hunchback; they saw me
Immediately. should have arrived twenty
| minutes sooner if they hadn't hit me. For
fupafaIv taF
whom to give the note But it was hard
coming down after that lickl | was diving
of thirst, kept thinking that | shouldn't get
there, and was crying with rage to think that
with every inmates delay some one was
| going to the other world, up there at the
house. BAIL did what could. 1 am CON
tented. But allow me, captain. Look at
| yourself, you are bleeding"
In fact, from the captains badly bandaged
| palm q few drops of blood were triekling
down his fingers,
"Do you want me to tighten the bandage,
captainl Hold it out a moment"
The captain held out his left hand, and put
out his right TO belp the boy to undo and
retie the knot; but 10 sooner had the boy
raised himself from the pillow than he grew
pale, and was compelled to rest his head
again MA
| Enough, enough" said the captain, look
ing at him and drawing away his bandaged
hand, which the boy wished to keep; "takt
care of yourself instead of thinking of others
because even slight things can become seriou.
when they are neglected"
The drummer boy shook his head
"But you," said the captain, looking al
h Frna
deal of blood to be as weak as that
"Lost much blood!" answered the boy, witt
| smile More than blood Iookl"
And with jerk be pulled off the covering
The captain stepped back Mortified
The boy had but one leg; bis left leg hat
been amputated above the knee and the STUN,
was bandaged with rags which were covere,
with blood
Just then fat little army surgeon passed
in his shirt sleeves.
"Ah, captain he said quickly, noddinl
at the drummer boy, that is an unfortunate
case; leg which could have been savel
easily if be had not forced it in that ma,
way; cursed Inflammation; it had to b
cut off at once Oh, but -. brav
boy, / assure you; he didn't shed a tear no
utter cryl On my word of honor, l wa
proud that he was an italian boy, while
was operating. He comes of good stock, b,
Jovel"
And he hurried away.
| The captain frowned, and looked intent,
at the drummer boy, while drawing the GOV
ering over him again; then, slowly, almos
without knowing it, and still looking at him
he raised his hand to his head and lifted hi
cap.
Captain" exclaimed the boy in SUI
prise, what are you doing, captaina-t
mel"
And then that rough soldier, who ha
never said a gentle word to an inferior, re
piled in "a, inexpressibly soft and affectionat
voice:
Il am but a captain; you are hero"
Then he threw himself with open arms o
the little drummer boy and kissed him thre
times on the heart. -Edmondo de Amicis i
The Cosmopolitan